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Newsletter 196 - July 2004

In this issue:

• The Mews is on the Up
• Prodigal bench?
• Tony and his friends...
• Flowers that Walk
• Counting bins
• Dangerous Rubbish
• A Right Royal Service!
• Q
• Shrinking Committee
• Days Out with Kingscliffe
• Before and After
• Where shall we go next?
• Time to Pay Your Sub.

The Mews is on the Up

The old garage at the bottom of Queensbury Mews was recently converted into a very stylish looking "live/work unit". Now there are planning applications for two more new houses nearby.

One is for the area at the back of number 122 Kings Road. It is currently occupied by a small one-storey business unit which has been empty for a long time.

The entrance of the house will face the side of the Metropole Hotel. It will be a two-storey building with a living room with windows where the one "shop" window is now. Upstairs will be two bedrooms, two bathrooms and a balcony.

Move west along the mews past the Queensbury Arms and you come to the back of number 128 Kings Road. This is the building which was destroyed by fire and neglect. It already has permission for demolition and a new block of flats.

There is now a further application for a small town house at the back of the site. It will be a single storey building but with a spiral staircase to a basement where there will be a bathroom and bedroom.

Prodigal bench?

Many years ago the Society bought a bench for Regency Square in memory of our founding chairman, Eddie Edwards. Sadly it was stolen.

Now a mysterious blue bench has appeared in the square. It is old and rather the worse for wear. But it could just be that same bench, with the commemorative plaque removed.

Does anyone know where it came from?

Tony and his friends...

... will be here again this autumn: the Labour Party conference will be back in town, with all the security arrangements that entails. Your committee is hoping to meet with police and council officers shortly to find out more and let them know our views. If there are any issues you would like us to raise please contact John Gavin (Brighton 749747 Email john.gavin@ntlworld.com) or Roger Hinton (Brighton 321794 Email hinton@clara.net).

Flowers that Walk

Recently in Clarence Square a passing pedestrian almost denuded the flowerbeds. Flower troughs have now (at last!) been positioned in Regency Square. Let's hope they won't also be considered a suitable source of free bouquets!

Counting bins

The Council obviously considers that people in Clarence Square are far more anti-social than those in Regency Square. Clarence Square has four litter bins but Regency Square, which is at least three times as big, has only two (one of which was pictured in a recent newsletter).

We have been promised another one at the top of the square, but it is a long time coming.

Dangerous Rubbish

A member in Castle Street complained to the Council that the rubbish near her home was a hazard because she was disabled. She pointed out that if she were to fall over she would be able to sue for damages. The rubbish was cleared within three hours!

A Right Royal Service!

Not satisfied with closing our local post office, the powers that be in the Royal Mail have decided to add insult to injury. There is now no Sunday collection from the box in Hampton Place. If you want to catch the post on a Sunday you will need to walk to North Street!

Q

We reported recently that the staff in the NCP car park under Regency Square have on occasions tried to close the underpass to traffic because of the problem of queues stretching back from the entrance and hence blocking the exit.

The Council have told us that NCP should not do this. There is a right of way through the underpass.

The Council has also tried to prevent queues from blocking the road. They have put up a sign asking drivers not to queue back beyond the double yellow lines. Unfortunately it is obscured by a hanging basket at present - but when winter comes ...!

Shrinking Committee

Two more members have left the committee. Tony Lowery has been a member for several years but has now resigned because he and his wife are moving away from the area. Norma Williams was elected at the AGM this year but has been finding it difficult to get to meetings so she has decided to step down. Many thanks to both for their support.

This brings the committee down to eight members. One or two more would be good. If you would like to think about joining and want to know a bit about what is involved contact any of the officers.

Days Out with Kingscliffe

The Kingscliffe Society has published details of its outings for the next few months. As always, our members are invited to join them. If you would like more details or a booking form for any of the trips contact Roger Hinton (Brighton 321794 email hinton@clara.net).

Kingscliffe Outings

24 August: 9:30 - back about 6:30

The Vyne, Basingstoke, 16th century house with gardens. £20 (National Trust members £14).

22 September: 9:15 - back about 6:30

Visit to Rochester, home of Charles Dickens and backdrop to many of his novels. £14

14 October: 10:00

Visit to Christ's Hospital, Horsham with guided tour of the school and museum, lunch in the historical Court Room and a chance to hear the school band. £25 including lunch.

Full details and booking forms from Roger Hinton (Brighton 321794 email hinton@clara.net)

Before and After

At 3pm on 23rd June, our web site editor, Brian Smith was on the beach photographing the roof of the West Pier Concert Hall as it lay on the remains of the pier. He doesn't know why he chose that moment to take the picture, but by 5pm he was back photographing the empty space left after the whole thing had collapsed into the sea.

Where shall we go next?

The committee is hoping to organise a local trip fairly soon. Suggestions made so far include a visit to the synagogue in Middle Street, or to the Mosque in Hove, or a trip to the Brighton races. More ideas would be welcome. If you have a suggestion contact Ros Boulden (Brighton 323690)

Time to Pay Your Sub.

Most members have renewed their membership but there are still a few outstanding. Please send subscriptions to:

Andrew Walker, Treasurer, RSAS, 9 Chartwell Court, Russell Square, Brighton BN1 2EW

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